Anatomy of a Terru

Someone asked me once, after I had published my first book, Soldier and the Lady, "Jim, what is a Terru?" It's sort of funny how questions come to mind from potential readers and fans of novels. And wouldn't you guess another question my editor asked me as we worked through my second book, yet to be published. "Jim, what are the traits or powers of a Terru?" Yikes! Calm down people, I'll tell you all about it, in my own, unique style.

To clear up any misconceptions, Terru, were born from a breed of predator called the vampire. Yes, I planted the blood suckers in West Texas. Now, I know what you're thinking; this is an off-shoot of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", or "Blade, the Vampire Slayer", right? Wrong! I describe Terru as being vampire hunters, but with a twist; most of them are Christians.

Terru are just as mortal as you and me, except they tend to live longer. This is baffles those who chronicle their exploits; whether it is an ancient clan leader from Russia (Boris Sartinsky-or Sartin), or those whom my main character, Dr. David Matthews, protects (watchers of Project: Watch Care).

A case in point, Boris Sartin has existed since 502 A.D. Mostly, his main family, The Sartin Gypsies, has hidden in the shadows waiting for the one who would come and claim his mantle of leadership...The Chosen One-a male Terru, reborn as a child, to lead the Sartin Gypsies, to victory over Boris' evil, younger brother; Dmitri Rasputin Sardovsky.

As to their unique powers, controlling the aging process is vital to the survival of Clan Terru. Several other powers exist in these ageless creatures: flight, limited invisibility, super-human strength, telepathy, telekinesis, hypnosis, and turn humans or soul-filled vampires into other Terru, by sharing blood (and you thought these folks did nothing really freaky).

For Terru like Boris Sartin, also known as the Prince or Grandmaster Terru, other abilities manifest themselves to include: the creation and movement through portals, controlling the minds of vampires and other Terru, miraculous healing, the ability to bless water, and resurrect Dark Terru they have killed to serve them (Dark Terru are dead Terru brought back to life via witchcraft).

However, their powers aren't what make these hunters unique. Terru live in communities and family units. And it doesn't matter whether it is human beings, other Terru, or even soul-filled vampires (incidentally, soulless vampires are a constant threat to humanity). Terru may have one spouse per lifetime. And depending on the lifetime, may have children from more than one mate, no matter if the mate is human or Terru. For first time Terru mothers, these poor ladies tend to birth at least one set of twins per generation. I say poor ladies, because the incubation time for first time Terru mothers is six months. This leads to the unfounded conclusion that baby Terru grow fast!

I did forget one automatic defense mechanism for a rare few Terru; a phosphorous chemical, found in the blood of reborn Terru, tend to turn soulless vampires to dust when those vampires mistake Terru for ordinary humans. Conversely, Terru sometimes enter into a rare and violent condition called The Feeding Frenzy of Terru. When a Terru is severely agitated in any way, their yellow and red eyes, turn full blood red and hunger for the dark, dead blood of vampires, soulless or soul-filled; if this ever occurs, no vampire is safe.

The only two weaknesses ever recorded concerning Terru are: debilitating visions, and deep-seeded bouts of melancholy. Should the wary soulless monster catch a Terru flat-footed, they can kill Terru by: burning, decapitation, wooden stakes stabbed into the heart, or any type of phosphorous shot.

As I alluded to earlier, most Terru belong to the Christian faith. However, some Terru are Muslim, Buddhists, and they always ally themselves, in battle, to the Grandmaster of Terru; no matter the religious affiliation. Remember always to keep them in prayer; they're fighting to protect you and me.